James Whelan is a Chile specialist. He has just returned from London, where he interviewed Pinochet. He reports:

"I have been working for the past three-four years on a biography of Pinochet. I was able to gain access to him thanks to the reputation earned in Chile through publication of my history of that country--and the intervention of a number of friends who overcame the man's (understandable) caution. Ultimately, I would be admitted to his full confidence -- both verbal and documents -- in around 30 tape-recorded interviews, in a wide variety of settings, over a period of three years. In addition, I added to my earlier research through recorded interviews with around 100 persons whose lives had intersected with his -- family, friends, comrades-in-arms, civilian associates, opponents and outright enemies. No other writer or researcher has been granted such access, and since the man is now 83-years-old, it is extremely improbably than any every could be."

My comment: I strongly support such biographies, and used them regularly in my courses on Latin America. When James Whelan's book appears, he can be sure that WAISers will know about it.

Ronald Hilton - 03/09/99